Ahoy!

[ralphtricky]

I thought I'd drop by and give a quick intro. I'm the programmer for the new version of TOAW. I've been reading the forums for a while looking at the suggestions. I plan to participate in some of the discussions on a strictly private basis, and not as a representative of Matrix. I've been a programmer for too many years, and a wargamer off and on for even longer.

Just to set expectations, I'm sorry to say that I won't be giving progress reports or talking about features, or anything else related to the release.

Ralph Trickey

[JAMiAM]

Three cheers for Ralph! To head off anyone who even thinks about complaining about the lack of public progress reports from Ralph, just keep in mind that we will be keeping him way too busy with delving into the code, to spend time answering a thousand and one questions. Ask yourself how his time would be more efficiently spent, and I think you'll agree that this is for the better...[;)]

[Temple]

Hi Ralph. When is it going to be released?? Huh? Huh? [;)]

Just getting you warmed up [:)]

Glad to here from you. I used to live in Colorado Springs, back in the 1970's. It was way too crowded back then, so I assume it's mega-crowded now. And now I hear they're paving the road to the top of Pikes Peak... [:(]. Shame, I used to take my old muscle car up there and on that road that runs along the ridgeline. Well, progress and all that.

Good luck with TOAW!

[ralphtricky]

ORIGINAL: Temple

Glad to here from you. I used to live in Colorado Springs, back in the 1970's. It was way too crowded back then, so I assume it's mega-crowded now. And now I hear they're paving the road to the top of Pikes Peak... [:(]. Shame, I used to take my old muscle car up there and on that road that runs along the ridgeline. Well, progress and all that.

Good luck with TOAW!

Thanks!

Yeah, they've paved the road to Pikes Peak, and the development's past Powers and getting past Mark Scheffel too. You wouldn't recognize the place, we moved here 8 years ago, and it's pretty amazing how fast it's grown. Takea look at Google Earth if you don't believe me.

Unfortunately, as a programmer, I can't really be guaranteed to find work in a town that's much smaller. Ideally, I'd love to retire to a cabin in Montana.

[Siberian HEAT]

I should also mention that in addition to Ralph, we have had a back room leadership change...and now Jamiam is going to be heading up the TOAW Dev group. I've got too many irons in the fire, and TOAW deserves someone who can give it their full attention. Jam is the perfect choice! I'm not sure what the future holds for me, but for now I will be around to help James make the jump into the command chair.

Carry on!

[golden delicious]

ORIGINAL: Siberian HEAT

I should also mention that in addition to Ralph, we have had a back room leadership change...and now Jamiam is going to be heading up the TOAW Dev group. I've got too many irons in the fire, and TOAW deserves someone who can give it their full attention. Jam is the perfect choice! I'm not sure what the future holds for me, but for now I will be around to help James make the jump into the command chair.

Just to be clear, am I to understand this is position relates to playtesting? Thanks.

[Siberian HEAT]

ORIGINAL: golden delicious

Just to be clear, am I to understand this is position relates to playtesting? Thanks.

Playtesting is involved, but there is much more to this position than merely doing that. Think of it like being a manager with the duty of picking and choosing which of the 400 bug and feature requests need to be addressed, how and in what order they are to be addressed, and then making sure the changes in the game reflect exactly what was intended by working with the programmer. This requires a lot of hands on oversight which I was able to do for the small list of initial bugs/tweaks...but once we ramp up after the first release it would be too much for me given my other commitments. James is one of those fortunate souls who can play all day at work. [:D]

[golden delicious]

ORIGINAL: Siberian HEAT

Playtesting is involved, but there is much more to this position than merely doing that. Think of it like being a manager with the duty of picking and choosing which of the 400 bug and feature requests need to be addressed,

That's what I was afraid of, since JAMiAM has repeatedly argued that various problems with the game are actually just fine the way they are.

Naturally JAMiAM is a man very familiar with TOAW. Hopefully he can be impartial and allow changes which benefit the game regardless of his previously stated views.

[JJKettunen]

ORIGINAL: golden delicious

That's what I was afraid of, since JAMiAM has repeatedly argued that various problems with the game are actually just fine the way they are.

Naturally JAMiAM is a man very familiar with TOAW. Hopefully he can be impartial and allow changes which benefit the game regardless of his previously stated views.

Ditto.

[JAMiAM]

Gentlemen,

Rest assured that in spite of me being somewhat of a TOAW "purist", I do agree that there are things that TOAW does which do need to be "fixed". However, keep in mind that for every player out there who has ever bought, and played TOAW, there is a distinct opinion of what exactly TOAW should be. In fixing one person's problem, we may break what another considers an essential characteristic of the game that they want to play. We tread a fine line between the two sides, with most every feature decision we make.

That said, the ultimate goal of Matrix Games is to release a product that will grow, evolve, and be well supported. One that you will happy to buy, and support, as well.

[Oleg Mastruko]

ORIGINAL: golden delicious

ORIGINAL: Siberian HEAT

Playtesting is involved, but there is much more to this position than merely doing that. Think of it like being a manager with the duty of picking and choosing which of the 400 bug and feature requests need to be addressed,

That's what I was afraid of, since JAMiAM has repeatedly argued that various problems with the game are actually just fine the way they are.

Like what? I actually happen to agree with every Jamiam post I've seen here on this board (which does not say much, since I assume majority of his "problematic" posts were on other boards [8|]).

O.

[*Lava*]

ORIGINAL: JAMiAM

That said, the ultimate goal of Matrix Games is to release a product that will grow, evolve, and be well supported.

Sounds good to me.

You have a tough job ahead of you. Setting priorities, dealing with personalities, balancing the community's desires... not easy by any means.

Here is wishing you lots of luck, and of course, success.

Ray (alias Lava)

BTW, if I was you the first thing I would do is ban your new programer from posting...[;)]

[ralphtricky]

ORIGINAL: Lava
Ray (alias Lava)

BTW, if I was you the first thing I would do is ban your new programer from posting...[;)]

[:-]/mutters Ray aka Lava... I'll have to remember that name. I wonder what the best way is to ID his computer and make him always lose... There's got to be a way...100% handicap against the computer, 50% against other players and 80% against himself, that should really confuse him.

[golden delicious]

ORIGINAL: Oleg Mastruko

Like what? I actually happen to agree with every Jamiam post I've seen here on this board

There you have the problem in its essence.

[*Lava*]

ORIGINAL: ralphtrick

I wonder what the best way is to ID his computer and make him always lose..

No need.

I am quite good at doing that all by myself.

Now.. get to work!

Ray (alias Lava)